School consultations
Informal consultations
Norfolk County Council have launched an informal consultation on a proposal to change the catchment areas of Middleton CofE Primary Academy, Gayton CofE Primary Academy, Ashwicken CE Primary School and West Winch Primary School from September 2026. The consultation will run from Tuesday 12 May 2026 to Tuesday 30 June 2026 inclusive and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Middleton Catchment consultation
Statutory consultations (Public Notices)
Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation on 11 May 2026 on the proposal to add a Specialist Hub of Inclusive Practice (SHIP) at West Earlham Infant & Nursery School, Scarnell Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR5 8HT from 1 September 2026. This Public Notice consultation closes on 5 June 2026 and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: West Earlham Infant & Nursery SHIP consultation
Recent Determinations
See the list of recent changes to school organisation in Norfolk.
School Term Dates 2027-28
Local authorities are responsible for determining school term dates for community and voluntary controlled schools, while Foundation, Trust, Voluntary Aided Schools, and Academies set their own calendars.
In Norfolk, the majority of schools typically follow a unified schedule. Schools are required to be open to students for 190 days each academic year, with teachers attending for 195 days. School transport services are available on student attendance days.
To promote consistency for families and transport providers, Norfolk County Council collaborates with neighbouring local authorities to propose an academic calendar, known as the Eastern Region Model Calendar.
Norfolk County Council consulted on the proposed term and holiday dates for 2027-2028. This consultation closed on Friday 14 November 2025.
The term and holiday dates for 2027-28 are now agreed and to view the full Consultation Report and the Academic Calender please visit Term dates 2027-28
Chapel Green School, Old Buckenham
On 11 August 2025, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, approved the following school organisation determination:
To increase the number of pupil places to 180 by adding 20 places for children and young people with complex needs, at Chapel Green School, Attleborough Road, Old Buckenham, NR17 1RF from 1 September 2025.
Cantley Primary School and Freethorpe Community Primary School
On 17 July 2025, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the following school organisation determination:
To amalgamate (discontinue) Cantley Primary School, School Lane, Cantley, Norfolk, NR13 3SA with Freethorpe Community Primary School, School Road, Freethorpe, Norfolk NR13 3NZ from September 2025 and Change the catchment area of Cantley Primary School, School Lane, Cantley, Norfolk, NR13 3SA to merge with the existing catchment area of Freethorpe Community Primary School, School Road, Freethorpe, Norfolk NR13 3NZ creating one larger catchment area that serves Freethorpe Community Primary School from September 2025. Full details of the Determination are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Cantley and Freethorpe Consultation
School Term Dates 2026-27
Local Authorities have a duty to set the school term dates for local authority maintained schools, such as community and voluntary controlled schools. Foundation, Trust, Voluntary Aided Schools and Academies are responsible for setting their own term dates. In practice, most of the schools in Norfolk, use the same term dates. Schools must be open to pupils for 190 days in an academic year and 195 days for teachers. Home to school transport will be provided on the days the school is open to pupils.
Norfolk County Council works with other local authorities nearby to set proposed dates for an academic year - this is known as the Eastern Region Model Calendar. We do this because we feel it is better to have a co-ordinated approach to setting school term dates to minimise the impact on families and school transport providers.
Norfolk County Council consulted on the proposed term and holiday dates for 2026-2027. This consultation ran from Monday 4 November and closed on Friday 13 December 2024.
The term and holiday dates for 2026/27 are now agreed and to view the full Consultation Report and the Calender please visit Consultation on proposed term dates 2026-27
Bradwell Homefield CE VC Primary School, Bradwell, Norfolk NR31 8NS
On 29 January 2025, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the following school organisation determination:-
To increase the number of pupils from 210 pupils to 420 pupils, move into a new school building located on Chaplin Road and change the age range from 3 - 11 to 4 - 11. These changes would come into effect from the Spring Term of 2026 (subject to planning permission being granted on 28 February 2025). Full details of the proposals for this site are available by clicking on the Citizenspace link: Bradwell Homefield consultation
St John's Community Primary School and Nursery, Hoveton
On 1 August 2024, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker made the following school organisation determination:
To change the age range at St John's Community Primary School and Nursery, Hoveton from 3-11 years to 4-11 years, and to run all nursery provision for 3 year olds via Community Facility Powers under the direction of the School Governors from 1 September 2024. Full details of the Determination can be found on the following Citizenspace survey link: St John's Consultation
Hopton CE Primary Academy, Homefield CE VA Primary School, Hillside Primary School, Woodlands Primary Academy and Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy
On 2 July 2024, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the following school organisation determination:-
To change the catchments area of Hopton CE Primary Academy, Homefield CE VA Primary School, Hillside Primary School, and Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy and Woodlands Primary Academy from 1 September 2024. Full details of the Consultation Report and Determination can be found on the following Citizenspace Link survey link: Bradwell Consultation
Hindringham CE VC Primary School
On 13 June 2024, Sara Tough, in her role as LA Decision-Maker, made the following school organisation determination:-
Change of category of the school, from voluntary controlled to voluntary aided, from 1 September 2024.
New Free School Silfield
On 22 September 2023 Unity Schools Partnership were given Secretary of State approval to sponsor the proposed primary free school in Cringleford under section 6A (the 'free school presumption') of the Education and Inspections Act 2006. Further details of the presumption process followed can be found here Silfield Free School Presumption process
New Free School Cringleford
On 3 March 2023 Inspiration Trust were given Secretary of State approval to sponsor the proposed primary free school in Cringleford under section 6A (the 'free school presumption') of the Education and Inspections Act 2006. Further details of the presumption process followed can be found here: Cringleford Free School Presumption process
Closed consultations
West Earlham Infant & Nursery School, Scarnell Road, Norwich
Norfolk County Council, in collaboration with West Earlham Infant & Nursery School, are proposing to add a Specialist Hub of Inclusive Practice at West Earlham Infant & Nursery School, Scarnell Road, Norwich, Norfolk, NR5 8HT from September 2026. The consultation ran from Thursday 26 February until Friday 27 March 2026 at 12 noon inclusive and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: West Earlham Infant & Nursery SHIP consultation
School Term Dates 2027-28
Local authorities are responsible for determining school term dates for community and voluntary controlled schools, while Foundation, Trust, Voluntary Aided Schools, and Academies set their own calendars.
In Norfolk, the majority of schools typically follow a unified schedule. Schools are required to be open to students for 190 days each academic year, with teachers attending for 195 days. School transport services are available on student attendance days.
To promote consistency for families and transport providers, Norfolk County Council collaborates with neighbouring local authorities to propose an academic calendar, known as the Eastern Region Model Calendar.
Norfolk County Council consulted on the proposed term and holiday dates for 2027-2028. This consultation closed on Friday 14 November 2025. The results of the consultation will be published on Norfolk County Council's Website in Spring 2026.
To view the proposed term and holiday dates for 2027/28 and the proposed Calendar please visit Consultation on proposed term dates 2027-28
Brancaster CofE Primary Academy and Burnham Market Primary School
Norfolk County Council in collaboration with The Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust, West Norfolk Academies Trust and Wensum Trust consulted on a proposal to change the catchment areas from which students are admitted to Brancaster CofE Primary Academy by adding it to the area served by Burnham Market Primary School, from 1 September 2025. This proposed change was in response to the amalgamation of Brancaster CofE Primary Academy with Docking CofE Primary Academy and Nursery by The Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT) from September 2025.
This consultation ran from Thursday 12 June to Wednesday 23 July 2025 inclusive and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Brancaster and Burnham Market Catchment consultation
Great Dunham Primary School and Beeston Primary School
Norfolk County Council in collaboration with Unity Education Trust consulted on the proposal to revise the catchment areas of Great Dunham Primary School and Beeston Primary School to ensure they align with the changed educational infrastructure in the wider area following the recent decision by Unity Education Trust to amalgamate the two schools. Norfolk County Council wants to change the catchment areas from which students are admitted to Beeston Primary School starting in September 2025. The proposal was to merge the catchment areas of Great Dunham Primary School and Beeston Primary School following the process of amalgamation.
This consultation ran from Friday 13 June to Thursday 24 July 2025 inclusive and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Great Dunham and Beeston Catchment consultation
Cantley Primary School and Freethorpe Community Primary School
Norfolk County Council consulted on the proposal to formally amalgamate Cantley Primary School, School Lane, Cantley, Norfolk, NR13 3SA and Freethorpe Community Primary School, School Road, Freethorpe, Norfolk, NR13 3NZ from September 2025. If agreed, this means the two schools would come together to become one single school from September 2025, on the Freethorpe Primary School site and Norfolk County Council will also adjust the catchment areas to reflect the change. The proposed amalgamation also includes the Cantley Nursery currently operated under Section 27 arrangements by the school's governing body. In the event that the amalgamation does not proceed, the governors intend to close the Cantley nursery due to sustained low demand at the end of the 2024/2025 academic year. The Freethorpe Nursery will remain as it is regardless of the outcome of the proposal. This consultation ran from Tuesday 13 May to Monday 16 June 2025 inclusive and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Cantley and Freethorpe Consultation
School Term Dates 2026-27
Local Authorities have a duty to set the school term dates for local authority maintained schools, such as community and voluntary controlled schools. Foundation, Trust, Voluntary Aided Schools and Academies are responsible for setting their own term dates. In practice, most of the schools in Norfolk, use the same term dates. Schools must be open to pupils for 190 days in an academic year and 195 days for teachers. Home to school transport will be provided on the days the school is open to pupils.
Norfolk County Council works with other local authorities nearby to set proposed dates for an academic year - this is known as the Eastern Region Model Calendar. We do this because we feel it is better to have a co-ordinated approach to setting school term dates to minimise the impact on families and school transport providers.
Norfolk County Council consulted on the proposed term and holiday dates for 2026-2027. This consultation ran from Monday 4 November and closed on Friday 13 December 2024. The results of the consultation will be published on Norfolk County Council's website in Spring 2025. To view details of this consultation on these dates and the calendar please visit Consultation on proposed term dates 2026-27
Woodlands Primary Academy, Hillside Primary School and Homefield CE VC Primary School - Bradwell Catchment
Norfolk County Council, Creative Education Trust and the Trustees of Woodlands Primary Academy are proposing to increase the size of the combined Bradwell catchment area shared by Woodlands Primary Academy, Hillside Primary School and Homefield CE VC Primary School by extending into some of the western side of the existing Hopton catchment area, to ensure that local children have more sustainable travel routes to their local school. This proposal is linked to a proposal from Norfolk County Council to change the catchment areas of Hopton CE Primary Academy and Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy from 1 September 2024. This consultation ran from Monday 15 April to Friday 24 May 2024 and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Bradwell Consultation
Hopton CE Primary Academy
Norfolk County Council, Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust (DNEAT) and the Governors of Hopton CE Primary Academy are proposing to change the catchment area of Hopton CE Primary Academy, from 1 September 2024. The proposal is to reduce the size of Hopton catchment area, to ensure that local children have easier travel routes to their local school. It is proposed that the 'lost area' to the northern end of the current catchment area will be included in the Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy catchment area. This proposal is linked to a proposal from Norfolk County Council, to extend the catchment areas of Ormiston Cliff Park and Bradwell from 1 September 2024. This consultation ran from Monday 15 April to Friday 24 May 2024 and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Hopton Consultation
Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy
Norfolk County Council, Ormiston Academies Trust and the Trustees of Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy are proposing to change the catchment area of Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy, from 1 September 2024. This proposal is linked to a proposal from Norfolk County Council, to change the catchment areas of Hopton and Bradwell from 1 September 2024. This consultation ran from Monday 15 April to Friday 24 May 2024 and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Consultation
Toftwood Infant School and Toftwood Junior School, Dereham
Norfolk County Council consulted on a proposal to establish a 16 place Social Emotional and Mental Health base at Toftwood Infant School and Toftwood Junior School, Dereham from 1st September 2025. This consultation ran from Monday 8 January to Friday 16 February 2024 and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Toftwood Consultation
Roydon Primary School, Diss
Norfolk County Council consulted on a proposal to establish a 16 place Specialist Hub of Inclusion Practice (SHIP) from 1 September 2025. This consultation ran from Monday 8 January to Friday 16 February 2024 and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Roydon Consultation
Closed Statutory consultations (Public Notices)
Chapel Green School, Old Buckenham
Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation on behalf of the Govenors of Chapel Green School, Old Buckenham, which ran from Tuesday 24 June to Tuesday 22 July 2025 on their proposal to increase the number of pupils with complex needs, to 180, from 1 September 2025.
Full details of the Statutory Public Notice consultation, together with copies of the Consultation Report, Public Notice and Prescribed Information can be found on the Norfolk County Council Citizenspace survey link: Chapel Green Public Notice
Cantley Primary School and Freethorpe Community Primary School
Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation which ran from Wednesday 18 June to Wednesday 16 July inclusive on the proposal to formally amalgamate Cantley Primary School, School Lane, Cantley, Norfolk, NR13 3SA and Freethorpe Community Primary School, School Road, Freethorpe, Norfolk, NR13 3NZ from September 2025. If agreed, this means the two schools would come together to become one single school from September 2025, on the Freethorpe Primary School site and Norfolk County Council will also adjust the catchment areas to reflect the change. The proposed amalgamation also includes the Cantley Nursery currently operated under Section 27 arrangements by the school's governing body. In the event that the amalgamation does not proceed, the governors intend to close the Cantley nursery due to sustained low demand at the end of the 2024/2025 academic year. The Freethorpe Nursery will remain as it is regardless of the outcome of the proposal. Full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: Cantley and Freethorpe Consultation
Former Blofield Primary School site, North Street, Blofield, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 4RH
Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation which ran from Monday 4 November to Monday 16 December 2024 to dispose of the site of the former Blofield Primary School, North Street, Blofield, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 4RH, which is anticipated to close in Spring 2025. The school is to be relocated to a newly constructed building on Blofield Primary School, Plantation Road, Blofield, Norwich, Norfolk, NR13 4PL Full details of our proposal for this site are available by clicking on the Citizenspace link Former Blofield Primary site consultation
Bradwell Homefield CE VC Primary School, Bradwell, Norfolk NR31 8NS
Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation which ran from Monday 18 November to Monday 16 December 2024 to increase the number of pupils from 210 pupils to 420 pupils, move into a new school building located on Chaplin Road and change the age range from 3 - 11 to 4 - 11. These changes would come into effect from the Spring Term of 2027 (subject to planning permission). Full details of our proposal for this site are available by clicking on the Citizenspace link: Bradwell Homefield consultation
St John's Community Primary School and Nursery, Hoveton
Norfolk County Council published a statutory public notice consultation on 24 June 2024 on their proposal to change the age range at St John's Community Primary School and Nursery, Hoveton from 3-11 years to 4-11 years, and to run all nursery provision for 3 year olds via Community Facility Powers under the direction of the School Governors from 1 September 2024. This Public Notice closed on 19 July 2024 and full details are available by clicking on the following Citizenspace survey link: St John's Consultation
